PORT-AU-PRINCE (AFP) - In a Haitian dance hall transformed into a temple, dozens of
voodoo practitioners dressed all in white, scarves around their necks in red, yellow or
green, came Friday to pay homage to their first-ever "supreme master".

"Open the barriers," a sole voice intoned in Creole.

"The master has arrive," answered the crowd of men and women, as they rose to
greet Max Beauvoir, 72.

Maz Beauvoir (R)

Until recently, the priests of voodoo, the heavily spirit-focused, African-rooted
belief of many Haitians, operated autonomously without a formal hierarchy or rules.

But through the associations of followers, they decided to establish a national
federation of "Haitian voodooists" and designate a formal leader.

Led by two children who spread about white rose petals on a crimson carpet, Beauvoir
paced ahead toward his new throne surrounded by other leaders of Haiti's millions of
voodoo adepts.

The throne itself is shaped from the trunk of a grand tree, varnished into a piece of
art itself.

"We do not want to vie with other religions, but we want to recover our real place
in society," said the new supreme master, assuming his reponsibility for the public
affairs of Haiti's voodooists.

Voodoo is hugely popular in Haiti, and practiced at every corner of society. But it has
long been on the defensive against other mainstream Christian religions.

An anthropologist, Beauvoir is well-known to his fellow voodooists. He has written
numerous works about the religion, and is often called upon to defend it for followers in
other countries who are often too shy about their beliefs to practice in public.

"Today we would like to structure our religion, to create a hierarchy to pull it
out of secrecy and marginalization," said Ismaitre Andre, a voodoo priest.

"Voodoo is the religion of nine million Haitians. Catholic or Protestant, all of
us have a parent who is voodooist," said Michel Brutus, a grand priest decked out in
a traditional costume.

Brutus was delighted to see more and more intellectuals declaring their acceptance and
support of voodooism.

As the enthronment ceremony progressed, music filled the jam-packed temple hall and
carried believers into a full-body dance. The women turned around a grand circle, at the
middle of which were magical talismans.

Max Beauvoir

In attendance was Haiti's Culture Minister Eddy Lubin, who declared his belief in
voodoo, and at his side were other government officials, an elderly priest and well-known
Haitian singers.

Further back in the hall, diplomats and curious tourists who squeezed in for the
spectacle.

For student Juna Joseph, 20, a new follower, it was her first time taking part in a
ritual.

"I am fortunate to be able to take part in the consecration of the first president
of voodoo," she said, noting her mother is a practitioner.

A woman led the crowd of followers in prayers, with them responding to her words with
"Ayibobo" ("amen").

She called voodoo the soul of the Haitian nation.

"We are going to place ourselves before god and before our master to work for the
success of our country and for a sustainable development," she prayed.

"Long live the freedom of voodoo," said an aide.

At the feet of the podium, groups paraded and danced as they made their offerings to
their new patriarch.

In his address, Beauvoir called for national reconciliation, for people to love their
country, and cooperation between all Haitains to build the country.

He also saluted in passing the presence of the UN peacekeeping mission, which, he said,
"is helping Haiti to emerge from a difficult situation.